Following Your Nose

Recently I joined a group called the Sole Sisters.  They are a great group of women who encourage, coach, train and motivate each other to accomplish the Gazelle girl race at the end of April.  I am excited and also nervous because my current goal is to train and run the half marathon.  This is way outside of my comfort zone.  I will be turning 40 right before the race, and the longest I have run is a 5k. 

One reason I am running is because I have been through a lot in the last two years.  We had a child with health complications and she needed surgeries. I lived in a hospital with her postpartum for 2 months while my family were spread across the different states and thousands of miles.  Even after that there were more surgeries and eventually new jobs and a relocation of our family from Alaska to Michigan.  I'm finally ready to do something for myself, so I can be a healthier version of me for my family and those I love.  

I'm excited to blog this journey because along the way, I stoped blogging.  Blogging helps me remember the lessons I learn along the way. I hope you enjoy reading about my journey to the Gazelle Girl Race!

 

I worked in my long run today.  It is really nasty weather and all the area schools are closed.  I called my church and since the office staff is in, I went in for an indoor run.  Luckily, because of the school cancellation, my family was home and could watch the baby.  

My first Sole Sisters meeting was at the Y.  The event is to run outdoors, but the weather was bitter cold so we moved inside on the track.  Let me say, if you have a Y near you, getting a membership is an amazing privilege!  The indoor track was perfect!  Plus they have the pool and other activities.  Who could ask for more?   Running and cross training at your finger tips!

I live in a rural area, and that option just isn't open to me, so off to the church gym it was!   Not fancy, but it would do as I didn't want to risk injury on the ice.  

One huge obstacle for me is my own mind.  It got to a point where I realized...  here I am, alone running with my music and my thoughts.  Let me tell you- my thoughts weren't helping.  

"When will this be done?" 

"How much longer?"

"Come on!   Map my run, aren't we to the next .25 mile?   Where is my split time?"

Then it happened.  I looked up, and there it was.  The corner.  And I thought, "I can make it to that corner. GO!"  Once I turned that corner my nose was pointed to the next corner. 

As soon as I got to that corner I thought, "I can make it to that corner.  GO".  It went on like that for the rest of my run. 

After my run I got to thinking.  We go where our nose is pointed. The old adage is, "follow your nose!"   I thought I really better watch where I let my nose go.  Am I nosing up to a bag of chips or choosing healthy options?  On my phone or creating relationships and investing my time? Am I in the Word or neglecting my inner self?  

So.  Pick a spot, point your nose there.  And. GO!